Hello lovelies!
Hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer! We get asked so many questions about menopause on our QUORA platform by women as young as 30 years old, so we thought we would answer all your questions here. If you answer yes to any of these TOP 10 signs, you may be starting menopause.
REMEMBER! Some symptoms of menopause are also associated with other conditions. It’s recommended to speak to your doctor to make sure😊
1- Was your last period more than 12 months ago?
Technically, menopause is when a woman does not have her period for 12 consecutive months. However, the emotional and physical symptoms associated with menopause may appear earlier, during perimenopause. Most women enter perimenopause in their late 40s; often, menopause occurs years later. This number seems to be increasing. With advanced technology, women are getting pregnant much later and defying mother nature.
2- Are you more emotional, anxious, and irritable?
Be kind to yourself, you are not alone in this situation. Women often experience mood swings during perimenopause (the time before menopause) and after menopause. Sometimes these changes are related to other symptoms of menopause such as trouble sleeping. Before trying medication, please give yoga, relaxation, and meditation a try😊
3- Do you have difficulty concentrating? Do you occasionally suffer from memory loss?
These symptoms are not unique to perimenopause and menopause, but can be part of the transition. Recognize these as normal and one of the effects of fluctuating hormone levels. Try natural supplements like fish oil and reduce the amount of sugar in your diet. These simple things will make a world of difference.
4- Do you have less control over your bladder than before?
Unpredictable leakage of urine (incontinence) is common in perimenopausal and post-menopausal women, but this condition can be managed. Although the subject of bladder control can be embarrassing, discussing it with your health care provider is important: corrective measures can help you avoid long-term health problems, such as frequent urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, and vaginal bleeding. Cutting back on caffeine & alcohol, and doing Kegel exercises are great ways to avoid incontinence.
5- Do you experience night sweats, nausea or hot flashes?
These are common signs that menopause is approaching. Fortunately, these symptoms subside over time. A healthy lifestyle will help minimize these symptoms. There are also awesome cooling clothing and gadgets out there to combat the sweats. Remember: they don’t last long, you have to just ride on through😊
6- Have you noticed any physical changes to your body?
Right before and after menopause, the levels of estrogen in a woman's body decrease. This can affect the collagen in the skin and cause wrinkles, lead to joint pain, and cause fatigue. Many women also report belly weight gain. Generally speaking, the metabolism slows down with age. Do not worry! A healthy diet and regular exercise can help maintain your weight. In fact, it may catapult you into a fitter, healthier you!
7- Have you lost interest in sex?
Between 30 and 50% of women report a drop in libido during menopause. In addition to hormonal fluctuations, fatigue, stress, and body image can all affect your sex drive. Open communication with your partner is more important than ever during this time. Counseling can be helpful to get you through. You can also speak to your doctor about oral prescription hormones.
8- Are you having trouble sleeping?
During menopause, nearly 40% of women will experience trouble sleeping, take longer to fall asleep, wake up in the middle of the night or suffer from sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep). Often, sleep disturbances manifest themselves more intensely in women in perimenopause and in those who have already had a hysterectomy (surgical menopause). Try turning off ALL devices one hour or more before bed. Magnesium, lavender oil, and melatonin are wonderful natural remedies.
9- Do you feel depressed even though your life is satisfying?
Some women experience low self-esteem and depression during menopause, especially when they perceive it as a sign of aging. If you find this too difficult to overcome, please seek counseling. This is temporary and will pass, you may just need to talk about it. Discuss the issues in depth and explore the treatment options available to you. The help you need is available. Surround yourself with peers & loved ones, they are the BEST support group. They can give you love and advice, or just be there for you.
10- Do you experience vaginal dryness or pain during sex?
These are common symptoms in the years following menopause. In addition to creating discomfort, these symptoms can lower your libido. This is very common, ladies! If you are in a loving relationship, you must discuss this with your partner😊 There are so many very simple remedies and solutions to help you overcome this, including estrogen therapy, antibiotics and the creams
Menopause can be a difficult time in a woman's life. The emotional, physical and mental changes that menopause brings can be overwhelming. Today, we have access to a whole range of complementary, hormonal and non-hormonal treatments to relieve symptoms. We hope that we have provided you with some insight, tips and positivity about this subject, which is still somehow taboo. Did you like this blog? Let us know! We love to hear from you! Got a Period Question? Contact us and we may feature the answer in an upcoming blog. You can also ask an anonymous question on our Quora platform: EVERYTHING PERIODS. No taboos!
